David Myles
Fredericton—Oromocto, New Brunswick · Liberal · Canada
“Madam Speaker, how can the Bloc Québécois claim that a $600-million investment in the cultural sector is bad news? I see that as good news, and so does the industry. This investment is boosting a sector that needs our support. We are there for artists. We will always be there for Canadian artists.”
“Mr. Speaker, the world lost a hero on Monday, May 18. Randy Eric Dickinson passed away in Fredericton at the age of 71. Randy was a tireless advocate for accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities.”
“Mr. Speaker, once again with the slogans. Once again with being a little loose on the facts. This is not a new tax. Since we want to talk about the economy, let us talk about the cultural sector and how much it does for the Canadian economy.”
“Mr. Speaker, let us be clear out of the gate. This is not a tax. This is an imaginary tax. Since day one, we have been relentlessly focused on affordability. That is why we cut taxes for 22 million Canadians. This is about equity for creators.”
“Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear, this is not a new tax. This is an imaginary tax, once again brought up in the House. Our government is relentlessly focused on the cost of living for Canadians. That is why we cut taxes for 22 million Canadians.”
“Mr. Speaker, the CBC is an independent Crown corporation. Commenting on specific programming would be inappropriate, and I am sure the member opposite would agree. To be clear with regard to this show, production has been paused, and the show has never aired.”
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“Madam Speaker, how can the Bloc Québécois claim that a $600-million investment in the cultural sector is bad news? I see that as good news, and so does the industry. This investment is boosting a sector that needs our support. We are there for artists. We will always be there for Canadian artists.”
“Mr. Speaker, once again with the slogans. Once again with being a little loose on the facts. This is not a new tax. Since we want to talk about the economy, let us talk about the cultural sector and how much it does for the Canadian economy. It generates billions of dollars across the country and employs hundreds of thousands of people in each of our ridings. It tells us who we are as Canadians. It unites us and helps us build a strong country.”
“Mr. Speaker, let us be clear out of the gate. This is not a tax. This is an imaginary tax. Since day one, we have been relentlessly focused on affordability. That is why we cut taxes for 22 million Canadians. This is about equity for creators. This is about fair competition, but mostly, it is about supporting Canadian storytellers, Canadian creators and Canadian artists, because we know how important they are to building Canada strong.”
“Mr. Speaker, the world lost a hero on Monday, May 18. Randy Eric Dickinson passed away in Fredericton at the age of 71. Randy was a tireless advocate for accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. He served as the first executive director of the Premier's Council on Disabilities and as chairperson of the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission, among countless other roles. [ Translation ] His work shaped New Brunswick's Accessibility Act and the federal Accessible Canada Act. In recognition of his dedication, he was appointed to the Order of Canada and the Order of New Brunswick. (1415) [ English ] Randy is survived by his beloved wife Karen and a large, loving family. He was passionate about helping others, whether through policy or simple acts of kindness.”
“Mr. Speaker, the CBC is an independent Crown corporation. Commenting on specific programming would be inappropriate, and I am sure the member opposite would agree. To be clear with regard to this show, production has been paused, and the show has never aired. However, I think it is right that every citizen of Canada has the right to have an opinion on CBC, as it is a public broadcaster, so you can direct your comments directly to the CBC.”
“Mr. Speaker, again, what we are talking about here are imaginary taxes. Once again, the way that Canadians consume content over the last decade has changed entirely. People are streaming content. It is not only with broadcasters. It is important that our regulatory regime reflect that change.”
“Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear, this is not a new tax. This is an imaginary tax, once again brought up in the House. Our government is relentlessly focused on the cost of living for Canadians. That is why we cut taxes for 22 million Canadians. This decision from the CRTC only ensures that existing rules are applied in a way that fosters fair competition. This is about protecting Canada's distinct culture and identity, and ensuring the vitality of our cultural sectors.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank the member opposite for his question. I am proud to be part of a government that clearly understands the connection between a strong cultural sector and a strong, sovereign country. That is why we have made huge investments of over $700 million in the Canadian and Quebec cultural sector in budget 2025.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate firefighter David Gamble on his retirement from the Oromocto Fire Department after 37 years of service. Mr. Gamble has always had a reputation for doing things the right way. His uniform was meticulous, his tools were clean, his gear was organized, and 7:30 a.m. meant radio check time, no exceptions. [ Translation ] According to his colleagues, it was largely thanks to his consistency and attention to detail that he was so dependable and trustworthy at work. Mr. Gamble demonstrated an old-fashioned work ethic in everything he did. [ English ] His colleagues are not the only ones who have recognized his commitment to the job. In 2010, the Governor General awarded him with a Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal. Now, it is our turn to applaud his exceptional contribution.”
“Madam Speaker, I have to ask myself what the opposition considers inflationary spending. For instance, yesterday, I heard a member opposite refer to our defence investments as if they were not important, as if they were all inflationary spending. I will tell members that when I am in Oromocto, when I am in Fredericton, at Base Gagetown, they do not see these as inflationary spending. They see these as important investments in the people who serve our country and protect our sovereignty. I applaud it. They applaud it. Unfortunately, the opposition votes against—”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge an extraordinary moment for Canadian animation and film. The Oscar for best animated short film this year is a global tribute to Montreal filmmakers Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski. It also reflects the talent and creativity in our country. This award serves as an inspiration to our artists and is a source of pride for Canada. [ English ] At the podium, Chris and Maciek told the world that their film could be made only at the National Film Board of Canada. This is the 12th Oscar win for the NFB. We should be proud of the enduring role the organization has played in supporting bold, original voices and sharing Canadian stories with the world. [ Translation ] Congratulations to Maciek and Chris and the entire team at the National Film Board on this remarkable achievement.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the University of New Brunswick's women's basketball team on their historic season. For the first time in nearly 50 years, the Reds made it to the U Sports women's basketball championship. [ Translation ] Despite fierce competition in the finals, their determination, discipline and unwavering team spirit led to a historic win. [ English ] Though they did not bring home gold, they have inspired a generation of young players, including my very own 13-year-old daughter. She was jumping around the living room because she was so excited by the accomplishment. I ask all members of the House to join me in congratulating the UNB Reds women's basketball team on this remarkable milestone.”
“Mr. Speaker, when I am home, talking with constituents in Fredericton—Oromocto, what I hear is that they appreciate that our Prime Minister and our government have a plan, a plan to diversify our exports, foster and facilitate interprovincial trade and make historic investments in the infrastructure that is going to enable all of this. This is going to mean a stronger economy, more housing, better-paying jobs and long-term careers. I also hear that they want us to work together, so let us work together and get this done.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the passing of gunner Sebastian Halmagean, a brave member of the Canadian Armed Forces. Gunner Halmagean, originally from Hamilton, Ontario, was based at the 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown in Oromocto. He had just deployed to Latvia on Operation Reassurance, his first overseas deployment, with a strong sense of duty to serve his country. [ Translation ] His death is a profound loss to the Canadian Armed Forces community, particularly to those who served alongside him as he embarked on a promising career. [ English ] Our thoughts are with his family, his loved ones and all those who served alongside him. I join all members of the House in offering my sincere condolences to gunner Sebastian Halmagean's family. May his service never go unrecognized. May he rest in peace.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Constantine Passaris, a constituent of Fredericton—Oromocto who was recently awarded the 2024 Canada's Volunteer Awards Atlantic prize for his outstanding contributions to building a welcoming and inclusive New Brunswick. For more than 50 years, Constantine has dedicated thousands of volunteer hours to connecting people from diverse backgrounds and championing collaboration. [ Translation ] As the founder of the New Brunswick Multicultural Council, his expertise has guided immigration policy throughout the Atlantic region. [ English ] Constantine has been an inspirational leader and a role model for New Brunswick's multicultural community, and his unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion continues to enrich our province. I ask members to join me in congratulating Dr.”
“Mr. Speaker, on behalf of SOCAN, the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada, I would like to invite everyone to celebrate the first-ever Canadian Music Creator Day on Friday, November 7. [ Translation ] Canadian Music Creator Day reaffirms SOCAN's mission to ensure that Canadian music creators are respected, recognized and fairly compensated. [ English ] SOCAN has been doing this important work for 100 years. The date, November 7, was chosen to honour the birthday of one of the greatest songwriters of all time from Canada, Joni Mitchell. I invite everyone to sit down and enjoy their favourite Joni song tomorrow, or a song by any other amazing Canadian, and to honour the great musical creators of this country on Canadian Music Creator Day.”
“[ Translation ] With the store closing its doors later this year, we remember the memories, the music and the valuable contributions made by Tony's Music Box. [ English ] I thank the George family, Michael and Terri, and all the staff who made it such a special store.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a beloved institution in downtown Fredericton, Tony's Music Box. The family-owned musical instrument store has served the community with passion and dedication for 50 years. Founded in 1975 by the late Tony George, Tony's Music Box quickly became more than just a store. [ Translation ] It was a hub of creativity, a gathering place for musicians and a pillar of Fredericton's cultural landscape. [ English ] From beginners to seasoned professionals, generations of musicians were welcomed with warmth, encouragement and always an enthusiastic handshake. The store's legacy will live on through the countless people it inspired. The staff were not just salespeople; they were mentors, musicians themselves, teachers and champions of local talent.”
“Her spirit will be felt by the community for years to come, in every family she helped, in every volunteer she inspired and in every moment of kindness that is her legacy. [ English ] Her legacy is one of resilience, compassion and unwavering dedication to her family and community. She will be remembered by many.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to commemorate the life of a beloved constituent, Ruth Phyllis Kavanaugh. Ruth devoted her life to serving her community. She was a founding member of Fredericton's Women in Transition House in 1980, the province's first shelter for abused women and children. She would later take on the important role of coordinator at the Oromocto Food Bank. Under her leadership, the food bank expanded to include clothing and furniture, recognizing that nourishment comes in many forms, including warm meals, warm coats and a place to sit with dignity. [ Translation ] Her energy level never dropped, even as she approached retirement at the age of 72.”
“Reconciliation is also about hope and the belief that a better relationship is not only possible but also necessary to live up to our full potential as a country.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Wolastoqey Tribal Council and Under One Sky for welcoming me and my family to their truth and reconciliation events yesterday. Hundreds of community members gathered at sunrise to remember through ceremony all those who never made it home after being sent to residential schools. (1415) [ Translation ] In the afternoon, many others gathered on the Sitansisk powwow grounds to share their stories and songs and to dance. It was a powerful reminder of resilience in the face of years of oppression. [ English ] There is a reason why “truth and reconciliation” are listed in that order. It starts with the truth of our past, listening deeply and sitting with that truth no matter how uncomfortable. Only then can reconciliation begin.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am thrilled to stand in the House today to highlight the significant achievements of Jeremy Dutcher, who is being awarded this year's Governor General's National Arts Centre Award in recognition of his extraordinary work as an artist, composer, activist, ethnomusicologist and language carrier. A Wolastoqiyik member of the Tobique first nation, Dutcher was born and raised in Fredericton and has been instrumental in preserving and sharing the Wolastoqiyik language and culture. He is the only two-time Polaris prize winner, a Juno Award winner and has performed on many of the most important stages around the world. [ Translation ] From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank Jeremy for his art, his values and his passion. As the region's representative, I would like to congratulate Jeremy on his extraordinary achievements.”
“Madam Speaker, it is absolutely an important issue, as the minister spoke to in question period. It is a real priority of our government to make sure that people with disabilities live with the same dignity and accessibility that all of us do in Canada.”
“Madam Speaker, these are projects of national significance, so it is important that people who come from other ridings support us in getting these projects done, because it would be impossible to get major infrastructure projects built without the support of Canadians. We now have the support of Canadians. That is important.”
“Madam Speaker, I am a big fan of jazz. I am not as talented as Miles Davis, but I do play the trumpet. I thank the member for making that association. We have already started doing things we can be proud of. We are already going ahead with some big plans, like the tax cut I just mentioned. We also have plenty of other plans that we will be talking about more in the coming weeks.”
“Madam Speaker, I would say first of all that there is a new government, and affordability is very important. I have actually spent many years dedicating much of my work to raising money for food banks, and I do understand families and how they struggle. It is a really important priority for me here, and I think that the first step is a tax break for 22 million Canadians. That is good news, and I suspect everybody will support that.”
“Like the throne speech suggests, let us focus on making life more affordable, housing more abundant, our cultural organizations the envy of the world and our economy the strongest in the G7, and let us give our military the respect it deserves. We can do this, and I look forward to working with all the members of the House on those goals every day that I am lucky enough to have this job.”
“Why is this so important now? [ Translation ] It is because we are going through a very difficult period. Uncertainty, economic threats and a rapidly changing political landscape have forced us to really think about who we are as a country and how we can move forward together, strong and sovereign. [ English ] This will not be easy. It will depend on how well we can work together. Infrastructure east to west and south to north is going to require an ability to build relationships and trust from all parts of Canada and also from each side of the floor. It means identifying our common challenges and moving toward solutions together.”
“I know perhaps I sound naive, but that is what Canadians want from us and expect from us. Let us keep that in mind. There is a lot of talk about robust debate, but jeering and laughing while others are talking has very little to do with debate. I have been in show business for 20 years, and this is not show business, or at least it should not be. This is serious work and it deserves our respect. If we want Canadians to respect each other, we have to respect each other. (1555) [ Translation ] If we want Canadians to work together in spite of their differences, we must find ways to work together in spite of our differences too. [ English ] If we want Canadians to be united, we need to find ways to be united, and I am excited to do that. That is what I have always been interested in: building relationships across division.”
“It is because I know deeply from experience that it is not the case. I learned it from being on the road for 20 years. It was also reinforced by my time campaigning. Over and over, door after door, I had so many great conversations with people who were tired of the polarization, skeptical of the partisanship and yearning for a focus on problem-solving over ideology. Sure, there were folks who did not agree with me. That is normal. Did we still find time to have a chat about our community and our country's challenges? We did. I would say that this House, this Parliament, is no different. I really do believe that we are all here because we want to serve our communities, represent our constituents, and work hard to help build a country that we can be proud of for future generations, no matter what party we represent.”
“I spent the last 20 years as a professional songwriter and musician, travelling all over this beautiful country. I travelled to hundreds of small towns in every province: east to west, up north, French, English, mining towns, military towns and every single big city. I will say, everywhere I went, I met decent people who cared about their communities and who wanted to build a good life for their kids in a country that they love. I did not see a country that was broken or impossibly divided. No, I saw a country of people who were fundamentally more similar than social media would ever have us believe. Let us be honest. Sometimes we hear the same thing in politics, that we are too divided or too different to talk, to work together, to build together. I do not believe it for a second. Why?”
“I am sure I benefited from all of the years of their committed hard work in the community. [ Translation ] I thank my wife, Nina, and my daughters, Maria and Silvia. They are the ones who really convinced me to take on this challenge. They believed in me and convinced me that I could do it and that the time was right. Their support is invaluable, and I could not have done this without them. [ English ] Being here in this House is a privilege and that is not lost on me. I will not squander this opportunity and I promise to work tirelessly for everyone. I mean everyone, not just those who voted for me. That is a big part of the reason I ran in the first place. I love people, all sorts of people. I decided to run because I believe in Canadians.”
“What I did not know was how it would feel to have people vouching for me. Volunteers were going to bat, supporting me, and going door to door in the rain and the cold, telling people that they thought I was a good guy and that I was the right person for this job. I will never, ever forget that. It meant so much to me. I thank them. I thank my parents, Jim and Carmel Myles, who were both high school teachers. My dad taught in Fredericton. My mom taught in Oromocto. They loved their jobs and they set the standard for what it means to serve the community, to be part of a community and to love the community. I felt that during the entire campaign. Everywhere I went, I heard stories about how they had positively affected people's lives, and it was remarkable.”
“It is the traditional territory of the Wolastoqey, the people of the beautiful and bountiful river. It is a truly beautiful place that has sustained and nurtured life for thousands of years. We are a riding of tech entrepreneurs, new Canadians, descendants of British loyalists, Acadians, two first nations communities, the Sitansisk and the Welamukotuk, and Canada's second-largest military base in Gagetown. It is a wonderful microcosm of this very country, with all the joys and all the challenges. [ Translation ] I thank the hundreds of volunteers who helped make this election campaign such an exceptional and unifying experience for all of us. [ English ] People of all sorts came out to help, many of whom had never been part of a campaign before. I had no idea what running was going to feel like. The truth is that I was nervous and scared.”
“Madam Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Saint Boniface—Saint Vital. I am thankful for this opportunity to rise in the House for the very first time. I am grateful to be here. It is not lost on me what a special privilege this is. I want to start by thanking the constituents of Fredericton—Oromocto for entrusting me with this responsibility. To be their representative here in Parliament is the honour of a lifetime. [ Translation ] I have always loved the Fredericton—Oromocto region. It is where I grew up, where my parents grew up and where I am now raising my children. I feel very fortunate to be able to do that. [ English ] Let me say that this campaign only made me appreciate what we have even more. Fredericton—Oromocto is a riding of about 80,000 people along the mighty Wolastoq, or the Saint John River.”